Overview
This lecture traces the history and experiences of Deaf people in America, exploring Deaf culture, education, technology, identity, and social change.
Deaf Identity and Misconceptions
- Deaf people focus on their abilities, not limitations.
- Common misconceptions (e.g., all Deaf use sign, sign is universal, Deafness is a tragedy) are false.
- 90%+ of Deaf people have hearing parents; most Deaf parents have hearing children.
- Deafness is not seen as inherently negative or abnormal within the community.
Early Deaf Education and the Rise of Sign Language
- Deaf people historically isolated; first American school for the Deaf founded in 1817 by Gallaudet and French teacher Laurent Clerc.
- Clerc blended French Sign Language with local signs, creating American Sign Language (ASL).
- Abraham Lincoln founded Gallaudet University in 1864, the world’s first college for Deaf students.
Oralism vs. Manualism
- Alexander Graham Bell advocated oralism (speech and lip-reading), opposed sign language use.
- Oral schools outlawed sign language, prioritizing speech training; this often led to limited success.
- After 1880 Milan Conference, schools hired fewer Deaf teachers and enforced oral methods.
- Many Deaf students signed secretly, fostering Deaf culture in residential schools.
Deaf Culture and Community
- Deaf schools and clubs were central to community formation, language transmission, and social life.
- Traditions include creating unique “name signs” based on personality traits.
- Deaf people developed their own organizations (e.g., National Association of the Deaf) for advocacy and mutual support.
- Sports and the arts, including drama and storytelling, are important in Deaf culture.
Discrimination and Civil Rights
- Deaf people historically faced discrimination in employment, education, and civic life.
- Early 20th-century movements (nativism, eugenics) targeted Deaf marriage and community.
- Segregation affected Black Deaf Americans, creating distinct sign language dialects.
Technological Advances
- Teletypewriters (TTYs) and closed captioning greatly improved Deaf communication access.
- Home adaptations and accessibility technology (e.g., flashing lights, video phones) are widespread.
- Cochlear implants introduced in the 1980s; their adoption and impact are debated within the Deaf community.
Language, Literature, and Performance
- William Stokoe’s research established ASL as a legitimate language.
- National Theatre of the Deaf introduced signed performance to hearing audiences.
- Sign language poetry and storytelling are vibrant art forms.
Mainstreaming, Education, and Identity
- Most Deaf children now attend mainstream schools, often as the only Deaf student.
- Approaches vary: oral-only, sign language immersion, or mixed methods.
- Cochlear implants create balancing acts between Deaf and hearing worlds.
- Many Deaf people discover and embrace their identity and culture later in life.
The Deaf President Now Movement
- In 1988, students protested at Gallaudet University for a Deaf president, leading to lasting change.
- The movement contributed to broader disability rights legislation (Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990).
- Deafness is now seen as a flexible identity, not a single “problem” to solve.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Deaf Culture — Shared values, norms, history, and language of the Deaf community.
- ASL (American Sign Language) — A complete, visual language used by Deaf Americans, created by blending French Sign Language and local signs.
- Oralism — Teaching deaf students to speak and lip-read, often excluding sign language.
- Manualism — Teaching through sign language.
- Cochlear Implant — A device that provides a sense of sound to profoundly deaf people via electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve.
- Mainstreaming — Integrating Deaf students into regular schools with hearing peers.
- Name Sign — A unique sign assigned to a Deaf person, reflecting personal traits.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Explore more about Deaf history and culture at pbs.org.
- Review class notes on Deaf civil rights and the significance of Gallaudet University.
- Prepare for discussion on technology’s impact on the Deaf community.